Painting Small Pieces

I am planning a clock project that will contain two figurines (the USNS Comfort and the USS Finback fast attack submarine) which I’ll want to paint in their actual colors instead of a stain like I would normally do. I’m thinking of using poplar for the wood as I don’t want to waste my good wood under paint. Would it be best for me to use plastic model (like cars and such) paint or does anyone know of a better option? Can I still use the lacquer over that paint or should I consider something else for finishing them?

I don’t foresee me doing something like this again in the near future so I don’t want a lot of stock on-hand when I don’t need it.

-- Cowboy Up or Quit - If you are going to quit than get out of my way

11 replies so far

Poplar sounds like the right material. As with any finishing schedule, try it on scrap first.

I’d be tempted to dip into the wife’s craft supplies and use acrylics. The range of colors available is amazing and, if you want something custom, they are easy to mix. Check out your local craft store.

Inexpensive craft acrylics would work better than the enamel paints used for plastic models. I thin the acrylics a bit and paint multiple washes on the bare wood to get the color I want. I blow dry the paint between coats and between different colors. Use slightly thicker colors if needed to prevent running. i use poly over my paint, but lacquer is fine also.

not related to the building of your project, but, do you know the history of the Finback ?

I was on a Sub Tender in S. Georgia when the Finback pulled in after the short cruise where the Captain hired a stripper to dance on the sail as the ship wasleaving port. (it was meant to reward the crew for an outstanding previous overhaul).it made big news in the military world back then.

the first Finback rescued former president George Bush from the ocean after ditchinghis fighter jet on 02 September 1944.

best of luck in your project and hope you can do it justice.

as for the paint:submarines in real life are flat black. if I were doing it, I would use automotive sanding primer to get it smooth then rattle-can matte or satin black.

not related to the building of your project, but, do you know the history of the Finback ?

I was on a Sub Tender in S. Georgia when the Finback pulled in after the short cruise where the Captain hired a stripper to dance on the sail as the ship wasleaving port. (it was meant to reward the crew for an outstanding previous overhaul).it made big news in the military world back then.

the first Finback rescued former president George Bush from the ocean after ditchinghis fighter jet on 02 September 1944.

best of luck in your project and hope you can do it justice.

as for the paint:submarines in real life are flat black. if I were doing it, I would use automotive sanding primer to get it smooth then rattle-can matte or satin black.

looking forward to seeing your finished project.

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- John Smith

Yes, I have read through the history and know it was one of the events the boat saw. My Uncle, a retired Master Chief Petty Officer, served on the Finback while his retired Senior Chief Petty Officer wife served on the USNS Comfort. I have never met him but grew up hearing alot about him; I wanted to meet up with him over Memorial Day but broke my leg last week. So, this project has some free time with the hope I’ll be done by Labor Day when I think I can make another attempt at going out there.

-- Cowboy Up or Quit - If you are going to quit than get out of my way

John asked if I had any drawings yet of this project so I figured I’d add them here. The clock itself will set up in the “conning tower” while directly below it will house either a pendulum or be left empty but with a door (haven’t decided yet). Each side of the clock will house a triangular spinning column like what you would see in a store selling products. The sides of that column will contain their rank (Master Chief Petty officer as seen below or Senior Chief Petty Officer with just the one star above the anchor), their names and dates of service, and finally a replica of their functional badge. The submarine and ship will sit on top where you see the knobs sticking up as the top holder while the column will have a nut on the rod from below. I’ll find some standoffs to keep the columns off the top and bottom boards. Though I still struggle with Sketch-up, I have an idea on how I’ll design the base so we’ll see when it comes time for that.

More to come as I start in on the project – just 5 more days until I know if I can start bearing any weight on this leg and get back into the shop

-- Cowboy Up or Quit - If you are going to quit than get out of my way

I figured I’d come back and update this thread. While sitting around the house with my broken leg, I learned that my older Uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary is the same day as my 30 year high school reunion. Since I will be able to make the trip up there before going to the Uncle’s place above I first mentioned, I thought why not make a clock for the older one too. So, once I was given the okay to start weight bearing last month, I started in on his part of my projects. The main clock pieces are now almost ready to stain and assemble (need to make two other pieces) while I just painted the smaller pieces tonight that I’ll put on his columns.

I figured out a couple of things I’ll do differently for my younger Uncle but it’s not that bad.

This particular Uncle served in the USAF from 1965 to 1969 spending two tours in Vietnam and getting out early as an Airman First Class (E3) (stripes in the bottom left). He became a firefighter for his home town and is now a volunteer firefighter (he’s at least 70) in an Arizona retirement community.

His wife served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1970 having had to separate as a Sergeant (E4) (stripes in the top left) when she was pregnant with my oldest cousin. Once she left the service she pretty much became a housewife but loves putting puzzles together, hence the puzzle pieces for her.

I’ll start on the other clock here shortly

-- Cowboy Up or Quit - If you are going to quit than get out of my way